Greater New York by R. D. Quinn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 22, 1910

Greater New York

By R. D. Quinn

THE evangelistic campaign in Greater New York is still going forward. Eight large tents, with a large company of workers, have been engaged during the summer months, and the results so far are very gratifying. For the most part, the meetings have been well attended. In some instances the seating capacity has been altogether inadequate. Nightly meetings are still conducted in all the tents.

It is too early to speak very definitely of the final results, but we are glad to report that twenty-five persons have already accepted the truth in Manhattan, and fully one hundred fifty are deeply interested and under conviction. We hope that many of these will yet accept the truth.

In another district twenty-five have already accepted the truth, and gone forward in Christian baptism. The one in charge of this work reports twenty more ready for baptism. He is waiting until the close of the tent effort, when he confidently expects that there will be nearly forty more who will take their stand for the truth. Crowds have flocked to this meeting, and an amphitheater was erected around the rear of the tent, in order to seat the overflow. The interest to hear the truth is still intense, and the meetings will be conducted several weeks more. Scores are under deep conviction. We solicit the prayers of our people everywhere that many of these may come out into the light.

One other company reports fifteen ready for baptism, with still a good interest. All the tent companies report converts. Those laboring in the foreign tongues are also meeting with success. On the basis of what has already been done, we believe that one hundred fifty believers as the result of the summer's campaign in New York would be a conservative estimate of what will be accomplished. We hope that this number will be greatly increased. The time has certainly come when the warning message will go in power to the cities. We have had many evidences of this during the past summer. While we are thankful for what has already been accomplished, we feel deeply impressed that there is a much greater and wider experience before us.

The apostolic church faced the same problem that confronts us to-day. Those men whom Jesus Christ commissioned to preach the gospel to all the world were just as helpless as are we, until they received the special endowment that qualified them for work. Let us see if this is not true. Who were the men to whom Jesus said, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high”?—They were the very men who had been in the school of Christ for more than three years. They had been sent to preach the kingdom of God, to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils. Having freely received, they were to freely give. They had seen the miracles of Christ. They were eye-witnesses of his death, burial, and resurrection. While he yet talked with them, they were to see him taken up into heaven before their very eyes. They were converted men, preachers of the gospel, upon whom Jesus, after his resurrection but before his ascension, had breathed, saying, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” There is no doubt that they did receive this gift. Their message was to declare to the world what they had seen, heard, and handled of the Word of life. The world was perishing in ignorance of Christ, and they alone knew the saving truth. Yet Christ strictly charged them to wait. With this altogether exceptional fitness for the work, they were to tarry until they had received the special equipment that Christ had promised.

In view of what Christ required of the early church before they should enter upon their world-wide commission, would it not seem that we, who are altogether unfit, should seek and obtain the promise of the Father—the baptism of the Holy Spirit—before undertaking a similar work? How dare we do otherwise? Like the disciples before pentecost, we may have the light of truth, and be perfectly familiar with every point of our faith; but “the preaching of the word will be of no avail without the continual presence and aid of the Holy Spirit. This is the only effectual teacher of divine truth. Only when the truth is accompanied to the heart by the Spirit, will it quicken the conscience or transform the life. One might be able to present the letter of the Word of God, he might be familiar with all its com mands and promises; but unless the Holy Spirit sets home the truth, no souls will fall on the Rock and be broken. No amount of education, no advantages, however great, can make one a channel of light without the co-operation of the Spirit of God.”—“Desire of Ages,” (trade edition), page 803.

“We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the day of pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more to-day. . . . I counsel you to tarry at Jerusalem, as did the early disciples, until, like them, you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, pages 158, 159.

“There is altogether too little of the Spirit and power of God in the labor of the watchmen. The Spirit which characterized that wonderful meeting on the day of pentecost is waiting to manifest its power upon the men who are now standing between the living and the dead as ambassadors of God. The power which stirred the people so mightily in the 1844 movement will again be revealed. The third angel's message will go forth not in whispered tones but with a loud voice.”—Id., page 252.

In view of the tremendous responsibility that rests upon every one who knows the truth to make it known to others, especially to those living in the great cities, and in the face of the utter impossibility of accomplishing the work committed to us with less power than marked the labors of the early church, it behooves us to study anew the manner and methods of Christ and his apostles; only in this way shall we learn how to reach the masses. R. D. QUINN.